darklingscribe

I think I missed out on the topper track explanation. Is it the same a retracking? If not how is it different?

After riding Manta in San Diego I'd wouldn't be disappointed at all if the ride turns out to be a Mack launched coaster, in fact I think I'd prefer it even over Intamin, because of the trains. I'd be willing to sacrifice an hydraulic launch if it meant riding in the Mack trains. Any word on how reliable Manta is? It broke down once when I was at the park, but they got it running again pretty quickly.

Great trip report Chuck, It was wonderful to wake up and relive the ECB first thing in the morning. Thanks for putting it up.

Maybe they are just planning to upgrade to a watercoaster like Divertical. Do you think this will be the end of Plunge or will it simply be relocated?

Thanks Robb and Elissa for organizing such a great event, I had a fantastic time and I hope to finally have enough cash in my pocket by next year to once again go on a full trip.

For those not used to East Coast weather, be sure to bring a thin rain coat or poncho. I checked the forecast for the weekend and both days say that thunderstorms are possible in the afternoon to the evening.

No Kidding, the moment you said that this came to mind: Goudurix over water is beautiful to look at, but a migrane of an experience.

Great photos and a fascinating trip report, thanks for taking the time to scan them in.

The ride is really good when ran properly, Green Lantern just needs someone willing to dedicate the time, the money and the training on how to run it as a thrill ride, rather than the sideways wild mouse they seem to be treating it as.

Perhaps the record they are going for is Holiday World's one for the World's longest watercoaster. It starts in HH and makes it's way to the Log Jammer area and, after a few elements, returns

^ The drive to your room is definitely an important point. I've reserved a room in Williamsburg because the inconvenience of a long drive on Saturday is not as great as it would be for me to endure a long drive on Sunday when I'll have much less energy by the end of the day. Just my reasoning behind things.

More and more I find myself wanting to bring my bike, park on the street somewhere and ride to the entrance.

I have no idea how they can use it for the haunt, It was just a guess on my part as I haven't really kept up on the news about CGA

^ I could see that being fun, and just to make it more fun have the ride drop at a completely random moment each time, sometimes it drops when the Joker reaches 3 other times his voice goes from 5 to 0 and nothing happens for a few seconds and then you hear him laugh and say that he was kidding and he has to start the countdown again only to release you at 5.

I haven't been following this thread closely, but It looks like the ride is going in right next to the defunct IMAX. This area is notorious for having unstable ground which is why the IMAX building can not longer be used. A concrete pad would make sense there.

Well I was finally able to spend a day at the Disneyland resort this Saturday and despite still being in the 4th of July holiday week I was able to get in a ton of rides thanks to the single rider lines. I started off the day at 8:30 at DCA and waited in a 30 minute line for the Radiator Springs racers Fastpass. By the time I got my pass they were already into the afternoon in return times, mine told me to come back to the ride between 1:50 and 2:50. I then headed over to the Radiator Springs section of DCA and was really impressed the scale and thought that went into themeing the area. Actually I was impressed overall by how much DCA was made over. I purposely stayed away from the photos and remodel updates because I wanted to see the improvements with new eyes. I had not been to the Disneyland resort for at least five years and everything was looking much better thanks to the remodel, DCA has finally erased the tackiness of it's past look. After getting my fastpass I went over to Radiator Springs Racers and waited in the single rider line for my first ride of the day. The Single Rider line was backed up to the entrance of the ride and the estimated wait time of 60 minutes turned out to be correct. Overall I found the ride to be very fun, but not something I would rate in my top ten disney attractions. I just felt the race part could be a little more forceful, and for me the bunny hops offered no airtime, it even felt like the ride braked a little when cresting the hills on both of my rides. When I returned to the Racers later to use my fastpass at 1:50 the SIngle rider line was down to a 30 minute wait according to the sign, so in the futre I think I'll hit up the ride later in the day rather than rushing to get a fastpass. This is a list of what I rode after the Racers just to give an idea how many rides a person can get in on a packed day if you are willing to hit up the single rider lines. Ariel's Undersea Adventure - no wait California Screaming - 10 minute wait in single rider line Toy Story Midway Mania - 45 minutes in regular line Goofy's Sky School - 10 minutes in single rider line Grizzly River Rapids - 5 minutes in single rider line Soarin' Over California - 10 minutes in single rider line Lunch Monster's Inc. - no wait Tower of Terror - 45 minutes regular line Radiator Springs Racers - fastpass Then I went over to Disneyland around 2 o'clock Got a Star Tours Fastpass The Matterhorn Bobsleds Right side - no wait in the single rider line The Matterhorn Bobsleds Left side - no wait in the single rider line Finding Nemo Submarines - 30 minute wait in the regular line Autotopia - no wait Star Tours - fastpass Got another Star Tours fast pass Took the train to New Orleans Square Splash Mountain - 15 minute wait Single rider Pirates of the Caribbean - 20 minute wait in regular line Star Tours - fastpass Grabbed another Startours fastpass Star Tours - 40 minute wait in regular line Dinner Jungle Cruise - 10 minute wait in regular line Indiana Jones - 10 minute wait in Single Rider line Pirates of the Caribbean - no line (Fantasmick was on) I then waited for the fireworks, because I couldn't remember the last time I watched the Disneyland Fireworks Haunted Mansion - no line Star Tours - Fastpass Grabbed my final Star Tours Fastpass Space Mountain - 60 minute wait in regular line Star Tours - fastpass Left the park at about 11:30pm I got in 27 rides overall on a Saturday in July. As you may have guessed my favorite of the day was the new Star Tours, I did get a few repeats (I Visited Hoth 3 times and had the same beginning four times), but I can't remember the last time I walked out of a motion simulator with such a huge grin on my face, and this ride got me smiling every time. I also agree with the popular opinion here that the new trains on the Matterhorn are a step down from the previous ones. The way these made me sit really jackhammered my spine at a few points in the ride.

I doubt Colususs will get anything as dramatic as the Texas Giant treatment. RCDB.com lists the cost of retracking the Giant at around 10 mil for it's 4920 feet of track. Colosuss has 4325 feet of track on each side, so a retracking and complete overhaul like the one done by Rocky Mountain could easily reach 20 mil with six new trains and the extra cost of steel for making the ride meet earthquake code.

I'm thinking about visiting the park this friday or saturday, what day do you think will be better? Some people are saying I should go Saturday because the deluxe southern california pass people will not be there, but does that even matter compared to normal weekend crowds VS weekday?

I'm fine with inversions and airtime, but if Intamin uses the same restraint system they did on Maverick I can only ride it one time a day. Those thin and flexible OTSRs on Maverick karate chop my neck every time the ride goes through a quick transition and I get off the ride feeling like I was attacked. But of course this is assuming if the ride will be an Intamin, for all I know It could be a Mack Mega coaster that will dwarf Blue Fire. Actually, I kind of hope it is, Sea World's Manta is by far one of the best new coasters I have ridden in a while.

The windshields are cleaned every night after the ride closes. However, the fog in the dip-drop is water fog, so it causes the windows to get wet and hold dirt. As well, the ride cycles before the guests get on in the morning so the ride is already been put through the fog several times when you ride. I agree, its something that's an issue, as it makes the windows dirty and could be causing other problems as well. Id think they'll either turn it off sooner or later or, replace the water fog with a theatrical fog instead. Its a cool effect, I hope they can make it work in all aspects. The whole land is themed to cars, both the intellectual property and the vehicle, so I am surprised that no one thought of fitting the ride vehicles with windshield wipers, just have them turn on after the mist on every ride cycle and the problem would be solved.

I know a few people who are planning on making a "mini trip" out of this, me included. We are doing Hersheypark, Knoebels, Dorney, SFGAdv during the week before heading down the KD on Friday. Flying into PHI on the 30th, out of DCA on the 6th. Sounds fun, I've made plans to visit relatives in the area, but if you do this again next year I'd be interested in joining the group if there's room.

My god, it just keeps going up and up. I can't even imagine what LL is going to be like.

I'm heading down to DCA on friday. Any LA peeps want to meet up? I intend to get for the opening so I can catch at least two rides on Radiator Springs Racers in the day.

That stunt show looks like one of those awesome only in Europe moments.

Thanks for the info. I'll try to fly in early to give myself ample time to get out of there.